One Month Out
Summer ends in a month.
I usually think that summer ends in August. For an educator in Oregon, schools tend to start after Labor Day. So, summer ends on the Labor Day holiday. But no, according to science summer ends in late September. When I first began planning the schedule for my first steaming TTRPG, I was heavily influenced by the game itself, Vaesen by Free League. Seasons of Mystery sounded so cool. And running a mystery per season seemed like an easy way to ease into this crowded world of streamed games. As this summer has progressed, I have slowly checked things off of my list. Prepared (poorly) camera and sound. Built (proficiently) OBS assets. And assembled an amazing squad of humans to help me share these stories. Filming begins next week.
So it’s a weird time. Our episodes release several weeks after they are put “in the can” so to speak. We’re already talking about autumn even though summer will rage along for another month. I wonder how I will feel as well hurtle towards our premier dates. Not presenting these live has lifted a weight off of my shoulders. For those who are used to live games, we opted to record episodes to ensure we could have everyone all the time. I feel sad seeing an empty box during a live stream. A reminder that someone is missing a game they enjoy and are invested in, but they can not make it. Yes, the show must go on, but can’t it be set up in a more flexible manner? That was my question shaping one of my core values when it comes to making these things. So next Wednesday we record, unless someone can’t make it. At which point we will reschedule. Everyone will make every episode if I can help it.
But wait! There’s more! What’s the smartest thing to do when you are just starting a TTRPG channel? Start setting up the second game even before the first one has an episode done! It was February 2020 when my Monday night game group began talking about streaming with some sense of seriousness. This game and the players were the closest thing to a streamable game I had ever been in. I truly believed that what we were doing would have found an audience and taken off. But March happened. The pandemic happened. And it was put on hold . . . until now. As I work to bring Vaesen to the screen now, wheels are already turning to bring a very different game to your screen. A different cast of humans. A different game engine. One of the most energetic GMs I have ever played for. This game will quite literally kick you in the face. The game, and the players if we can get the band back together again, are that good. But that’s all I’m telling you right now. Gotta keep some secrets in my pocket!
In the meantime, I will try to find some time to enjoy what’s left of summer. But soon, it will be autumn. And the mysteries will begin!
